Sat.Jun 16, 2012 - Fri.Jun 22, 2012

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Interview with Sam Teller, LaunchpadLA

socalTECH

There is a large menu of startup accelerators in the Los Angeles, but one of more established efforts in the area is LaunchpadLA ([link] The effort actually started as an informal mentoring program, but has grown and expanded to follow the accelerator model. We caught up with Sam Teller , who is directing efforts at the accelerator, to help fill entrepreneurs in on where the program fits in the world of technology and startup acceleration.

Class 261
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Inventor Or Innovator – Which Are You?

InfoChachkie

This article originally appeared on Forbes HERE. Philo Farnsworth created a technology which underlies one of the 20 th Century’s most ubiquitous products, yet he died a man of modest means and is relatively unknown today. Philo was an inventor, not an innovator. He was primarily motivated by the educational potential of his invention, not the wealth it might generate.

Ideas 221
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Define your story before anyone else does.

Berkonomics

It is an old warning in the entertainment industry. Define your persona the way you want others to view you – before someone else defines you by comparing you to someone not as flattering as you would like. I have a friend in the music business who worked hard to gain introductions to, and become mentored by, several known names in the business. One well known informal mentor called him the “Stevie Wonder of Hip Hop.

Mentor 136
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The Tale of Two Claims

SoCal Tech Calendar

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 -- An Innovative Model Leveraging Ergonomics Early in the Claim for Reducing Workers Comp Costs. Thought Leader: Bob Patterson, Omega Health Systems.

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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

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BlockBeacon Releases iPhone App For Local Deals

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based BlockBeacon , a new, venture backed startup developing mobile applications to help connect users with local restaurants and bars, has released a new iPhone app aimed at helping locals discover interesting, socially active places nearby. The startup--backed by Resolute.vc--also said it is expanding beyond Santa Monica to include all of California.

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The Cost Equation for a Startup is Better Than Ever

Startup Professionals Musings

I come from a high-tech software background, and only a few years ago, it would cost at least a million dollars ($1M) for a team of professionals to produce any commercial software product. Now, with open source software components, and low-cost development tools, the same job can be done by one good hacker for a few thousand dollars. Even for low-tech startups, the scope of information available on the Internet, and its global reach, has had a similar financial impact on the many other challeng

Startup 102

More Trending

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Trends and Best Practices in Enterprise Security

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, June 28, 2012 -- Trends and Best Practices in Enterprise Security. AITP. A Panel of Experts shares cutting edge strategies to manage Cybersecurity for networks, cloud computing, mobile devices Erik Laykin, Managing Director, Global Electronic Discovery and Investigations--Duff and Phelps, LLC  Cheryl Santos, Information Security Manager--Metropolitan Water District of Southern California  Andrew Robinson, Principal Design Architect-- Information Systems Architects  Stan Stahl,

AITP 113
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Silicon Beach Heads To The White House To Discuss Jobs, Innovation

socalTECH

A group of high tech executives from Los Angeles and the Silicon Beach ecosystem spent some time early this week talking with senior Obama Administration officials in Washington, D.C., to talk about job creation, the economy, and innovation. According to the group Business Forward, which connects businesses with government leaders, over fifty Southern California executives, including Miles Beckett of EQAL, Diego Berdakin of Beachmint, Paul Bricault and Oded Noy of Amplify, Jonathan Bischke of En

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This Entrepreneur Malaise is Deadly for Any Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

Founders almost always cite lack of money as the reason for failure, but if you look deeper, I believe the reason is more often about dysfunctional people and leadership. Sometimes it comes right back to the founder, in terms of a malaise often called “Founder’s Syndrome.” A few years ago I was intimately involved with a promising startup that taught me about this issue.

Startup 99
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Microsoft Announces New Tablet In Los Angeles | The Surface

Tech Zulu Event

There has been talk for the past week about Microsoft making a “Major” announcement here in Los Angeles. Wait no more! Today at an event in Hollywood, Microsoft unveiled Surface: PCs built to be the ultimate stage for Windows. Company executives showed two Windows tablets and accessories that feature significant advances in industrial design and attention to detail.

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India Trade Conference 2012

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, June 28, 2012 -- India Trade Conference 2012. You are cordially invited to the 5th Annual India Trade Conference being presented by the Port of Los Angeles, U.S. Commercial Service, and Quanta Consulting, Inc. Partners include TIE, USC Marshall, BeWo and Southern California Edison. We offer an interactive experience with global executives and experts in: New India Opportunities, Markets and Trends Social Entrepreneurship Non-Conventional Financing Trade and Logistics Nuances.

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Savings.com Deal Worth $100M+

socalTECH

The acquisition of Los Angeles-based Savings.com is apparently worth over $100M, plus an unspecified additional amount based on future performance of the firm, according to new numbers provided to the press by acquiring firm Cox Target Media. The acquisition price is a healthy return for the investors in Loren Bendele's company, which include U.S. Venture Partners and Rustic Canyon Venture Partners, which invested around a total of $12M in Savings.com.

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9 Leadership Failures to Avoid as an Entrepreneur

Startup Professionals Musings

After working with dozens of startup founders, I’m still amazed that some seem to be able to do the job easily and effectively, always in control, while others always seem to be struggling, out-of-control, and fighting the latest crisis. I am more and more convinced that it is the right founder behavior that leads to success, rather than some exceptional intelligence or training.

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Insights and Opinions: Learning How to Meet Investors

socalTECH

How do you go about meeting investors? One key are is learning how to network. In our Insights and Opinions section this morning, Matt Crowley , a startup attorney and author of Getting in the Game: Guiding Your Startup Through the World of Venture Capital and Angel Investors , talks about networking skills. Networking skills aren't obvious. Networking for business is a real challenge for most of us.

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Adconion Seeks IPO, Says Report

socalTECH

It appears that it's exit season in Southern California, as Internet advertising firm Adconion appears to be on the brink of an IPO filing. A report this morning says that Adconion's paperwork is ready, and that the firm is poised to file its S-1 any day now. Adconion, although based in London, has significant operations in Los Angeles, and the firm's founding investors include Los Angeles investors Clark Landry (chairman of GraphEffect), Tyler Moebius (founder and CEO), Fred Krueger and Evan Ri

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MealswithMentors.com Connects People With Mentors

socalTECH

How do you find someone to help mentor you with your goals, career, or other aspirations? Los Angeles-based Mealswithmentors.com has one way: let you take those mentors out to lunch. The startup, headed by Evan Aaronson, said this week that its site will help connect people with mentors, by taking those mentors out to coffee or lunch at the mentor's favorite restaurant.

Mentor 164
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Friday Fun: Dog Vacay's Canine Cast

socalTECH

If nothing else, having a startup focused on dogs apparently means every day can be bring-your-dog-to-work day. DogVacay , the startup out of the Science Inc. studio/incubator which operates a person-to-person marketplace for dog boarding, posted an amusing rundown of the startup's various canine visitors this morning, in honor of Take Your Dog To Work Day.

Incubator 164
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Savings.com Acquired By Cox Target Media

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based online coupon and deal site Savings.com has been acuqired by Cox Target Media , Cox announced Thursday afternoon. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. The deal includes Savoo.co.uk, and will add Savings.com to Valpak, the provider of those ubiquitous blue coupon envelopes distributed to U.S. households by mail. Cox said the buy "substantially expands" its business across traditional, digital, social and mobile platforms.

Media 164
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Factual Adds Third Party Deals and Coupons, Hotel Data

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Factual , the developer of APIs and a dataset of geo-located information about businesses and other locations, said today that it has launched a new API, which aggregates and geo-index third party deals, ads, coupons, and offers. According to Factual, the new Monetize APIs lets developers pull up deals for a business location, from companies like Groupon, LivingSocial, GrubHub, and Signpost.

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Active Network Launches Mobile Apps For Swim Meets

socalTECH

San Diego-based Active Network , which operates online websites targeted at community sports and other activities, has launched a new set of mobile apps aimed at swim meets. The firm said its new apps, released on both Apple iOS and Android, allows swim meets to track real time results and event standings, heat sheets, lane assignments, and more. THe new software, called Meet Mobile , is available for free.

Activity 157
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Interview with Rob Kramer, HipSwap

socalTECH

Are you tired of the plain text interface on Craiglist? Think eBay is just too tough to use? Los Angeles-based HipSwap is trying to break the mold of online marketplaces, with its highly visual, mobile and online marketplace for fashion and other items. Rob Kramer, the firm's CEO, tells us about the inspiration behind the site, as well as its recent launch of what it calls a cross between Craiglist and Pinterest.

Mobile 157
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Yahoo Taps Former MySpace Exec For Revenue Chief

socalTECH

It looks like Ross Levinsohn is building out his team to help out at troubled web portal and media firm Yahoo. The company said Monday that it is tapping the former Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Fox Interactive Media / MySpace, Michael Barrett , as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, under interim CEO Ross Levinsohn, the firm said Monday.

Yahoo 154
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Astute Networks Gets $12M

socalTECH

San Diego-based Astute Networks , a developer of a flash-based iSCSI networking device used in the data center market, said this morning that it has raised $12M in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Samsung Venture Investment Corporation (SVIC), and also included Tallwood Venture Capital, Narra Venture Capital, Ayala Capital, ICCP Venture Partners, and TIFF (The Investment Fund for Foundations).

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SmartDrive Systems Raises $47M For Better Driving

socalTECH

San Diego-based SmartDrive Systems , which develops driving safety systems for managing driving fleets, said Monday afternoon that it has raised $47m in a new funding round. The firm said the round was led by Oak Investment Partners and New Enterprise Associates, and also included Stanford University. The firm--which develops video-based driving monitoring systems--said it will use the funding for channel partners, accelerating customer adoption, and research and development.

Veoh 150
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Sonos Opens Retina, Android Tablet Beta

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based Sonos , the developer of the whole-home, user friendly music systems which connect to a user's smartphone or PC, said Friday that it has opened up new open beta for users of its systems with iOS devices with Retina displays, and Android tablets. According to Sonos, it is updating its apps--the Sonos Controllers for iPhone and iPad--for the new high resolution displays, and also has been testing out improved behavior of its Android tablet app, in landscape orientation.

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Silicon Beach Hackathon Looks To Gather Techies

socalTECH

Among a slew of events happening over the next few days at the Silicon Beach Fest is one aimed at bring out some of the technical talent in the area: the Silicon Beach Hackathon. The event--one of a number of events focused on LA tech, entertainment & startups tied into the Silicon Beach Fest--will award $20,000 in cash from StartEngine, $12,000 in cloud hosting services from Peak Hosting, and many other prizes to the top technical products cooked up at the event.

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Reports: ServiceNow To Pitch IPO In Roadshow This Week

socalTECH

Reports this morning say that San Diego-based ServiceNow is planning to start its IPO roadshow this week, as the firm looks to brave a post-Facebook-IPO market. According to reports , the firm expects to price its IPO as late June. ServiceNow is a developer of cloud-based services which allows companies to manage enterprise information technology (IT) operations.

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Boingo In Major Deal With SK Telecom

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based mobile Wi-Fi network operator Boingo Wireless has made a major expansion of its network of Wi-Fi access points in South Korea, after signing a network access agreement with SK Telecom. Boingo said this morning that a deal will add 75,000 hotspots in South Korea, located in airports, hotels, convention centers, restaurants and office locations.

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Sonos Scores $135M For Music Systems, Says Report

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based Sonos , the maker of user-friendly, whole house music systems, has raised $135M in a funding round, according to reports today. According to AllThingsD, citing "sources close to the situation", the funding included both primary and secondary financing, and was led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, along with Redpoint Ventures and Elevation Partners.

Report 145
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Fisker Automotive Plans Big WSJ Ad Push

socalTECH

Irvine-based Fisker Automotive is hoping to spur more interest in its electric vehicles, via a big advertising push in the Wall Street Journal, the automaker announced Friday. Fisker said it will be running its ads over the "next several months" in its first, major advertising campaign in national US media. Fisker said it has now raised more than $1 billion in investments, and has generated revenues exceeding $100M from its customers.

Journal 140
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Stockr Looks To Create New Stock Discussion Site

socalTECH

A new, Los Angeles startup, Stockr , is looking to connect the world of social networking with stock tips and trades, and recently has emerged in a private beta. The firm, headed by Vinny Jindal, provides a filtered stream of stock tips and disussions--tied into stock charts and quotes. Jindal was previously at Boston Millennia Partners and has also served at ThinkEquity Partners, Lehman Brothers, Wedbush Morgan Securities, and Origin Capital Management.

Tips 140
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Sonos Funding Pays Off For Early Investors

socalTECH

When is a funding also an exit? When part of that funding is used to pay off early investors. The $135M funding for Santa Barbara-based wireless music system maker Sonos appears to be just that, rewarding such investors as Andreas von Blottnitz, and undoubtedly co-founders John MacFarlane, Craig Shelburne, Tom Cullen. Sonos had raised $41M in funding--mostly from BV Capital, the investment fund of Andreas von Blottnitz--before this late stage injection from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Ele

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Gradient X Finds $3.75M For New Mobile Ad Play

socalTECH

A trio of online advertising vets are heading up a new, mobile advertising firm, Gradient X , which said this morning that it has raised $3.75M in a seed financing round. GradientX, led by Brian Baumgart and co-founded by Julie Mattern and Michael Lum, said the new funding round came from Rincon Venture Partners, GRP Partners, Crosscut Ventures, Walter Kortschak, Jim Willenborg, Clark Landry, Founder Collective, Double M Capital, Siemer Ventures and Baroda Ventures.

Mobile 140
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GreatCall Gets $7.0M In Venture Loan

socalTECH

San Diego-based GreatCall has scored a $7.0M, subordinated venture loan, according to lender NXT Capital. GreatCall said the funding will go to invest in adoption of its 5Star urgent response platform. GreatCall is venture backed by Charles River Ventures, Court Square Ventures, Nauta Capital, Steelpoint Capital Partners and Sumitomo. The firm's cell phone services and handsets are aimed at the senior market.

San Diego 140
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CallFire Adds NetZero's Burr As Chief Revenue Officer

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based CallFire , the developer of telephony APIs and VoIP services, said this morning that it has named former NetZero co-founder Ron Burr as its new Chief Revenue Officer. Burr also has previously served as CEO of WebVisible, as Chief Product Officer at LRN, and in positions at Jambo, Layer2 Networks, IMPACT Software, IBM, Vault Corporation, and other firms.

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Qualcomm Buys Summit Microelectronics

socalTECH

San Diego-based Qualcomm said today that it has acquired Summit Microelectronics , a developer of programmable power integrated circuits. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Qualcomm said the acquisition includes all employees of Summit Microelectronics, who become part of the company's CDMA Technologies division. Qualcomm explained that the acquisition will enhance its power management roadmap.

San Diego 140